KENNY Miller fired Scotland back into the hunt for a World Cup play-off place with an opportunistic first-half double in the 2-1 win in Norway.

KENNY Miller fired Scotland back into the hunt for a World Cup play-off place with an opportunistic first-half double in the 2-1 win in Norway.

Walter Smith admitted anything less than a victory in the capital would end their dreams of going to Germany next summer. But the stubborn Scots closed the gap on their shell-shocked rivals - who grabbed a late Ole Martin Arst consolation - to just two points with two qualifying matches remaining.

The Wolves striker scored against the run of play with their very first decent attack before an embarrassing blunder from Andre Bergdolmo gifted him his fourth goal in three international matches before going off injured in an unforgettable first-half.

Smith signalled his intent by boldly going with James McFadden to replace injured Nigel Quashie while Steven Pressley came in to replace the suspended Christian Dailly. But it took some time for Scotland to find their feet and they rode their luck before Miller time.

Scotland were given a huge let-off when Claus Lundekvam bundled the ball into the net from a corner only for the referee to spot an infringement somewhere in the area to the shock of the celebrating host nation.

Scotland snatched the lead in the 21st minute with their first purposeful foray forward. McFadden beat Jan Gunnar Solli in the air at the back post to nod Ferguson's cross into the path of Miller.The Wolves frontman had to stretch but he got the deftest of touches to flick the ball past Thomas Myhre and inside the post.

Miller was gifted his second goal of the game after a terrible mistake from Bergdolmo. Hartley's cross was going to run straight through to the goalkeeper but Bergdolmo headed the ball back into the unmarked striker, and he coolly slotted the ball past the disbelieving Myhre.

Miller had a glorious chance to score a remarkable first-half hat-trick in the 40th minute when Graham Alexander's cross came off a Norwegian head and landed at his feet but this time fortune favoured Bergdolmo and the ball cannoned off his head and went wide.

That was the former Rangers man's last contribution as he hobbled off moments later to be replaced by Neil McCann.

Arst fired a late consolation for Norway from Lundekvam's knock-down but it was too little to late to silence the rejoicing Tartan Army.